Course Description/Introduction
Introductory Video:
The Cinematic genre of Horror, although frequently overlooked as "serious" cinema, serves an important social function: Acting as a cultural barometer for social anxieties and woes of the time they're made. Horror inherently deals with taboo or disturbing subject matter, and as a consequence, might be the most socially revealing.
The course is thematic, with the primary concern not so much the history of horror films, but rather, "what" horror is. How do we represent horror? What cultural function does horror serve? Why do we "like" horror? And what pleasure do we derive from it?
You will be applying critical analysis to the content of the films through several succinct methods: incorporating the years/decades which they debuted, the legends behind the monsters, reading papers that uncode aspects that may relate to the film itself, distilling down the opinions of your peers into those of your own...amongst other things.
GRADING:
FINAL PAPER (50%):
Each student’s work in the class will culminate with a final paper. Papers will be no less than 6 Pages (1500 words, double spaced, not including bibligography/citations or title page) This culminating work will be a space for students to explore in greater depth some of the complex theoretical concepts that we have surveyed in the course. Students will be asked to find connections between films, videos, and texts from throughout the session around a central theme of their choice. Students are required to turn in their choice of sources and a short paragraph on their topic by class 8.
Email these directly to my BSC email.
CLASS BLOG, RESPONSE, and FORUM ANSWERS (50%):
Students are required to compose substantive (500 words or more) blog entries for each lesson during the span of this course. The content requires your thoughts on the film (s), and how the papers apply to your “reading” of the film. You must also thoroughly respond to at least 2 of your peers blog posts with additive discussion (50 words or more).
Post on the assignment discussions, so we all get to read and judge accordingly, because college students need another reason to be anxious about school. Seriously though, just post on MOODLE.
DUE DATES FOR ASSIGNMENTS:The class is asynchronous, so you can view and write according to your own particular schedule. However, PLEASE do not wait until last minute to turn your papers in. It's best to go ahead, keep a schedule, and give me (and your peers) enough time to give you appropriate responses to your work.
The final blog should be turned in at least a week prior to the final paper due date. It's for your own benefit, I promise.
INTRO ASSIGNMENT:
Please Read "INTRODUCTION TO HORROR" https://bookerhorror.com/the-horror-film-a-brief-introduction/
- Forum
Introduce Yourself!
Hi Everyone!
I couldn't be more excited to have you join us on, what I'm hoping will be, a weird, gross, horrifying, bonkers, ENLIGHTENING adventure as we dive into the reflexive nature of the Horror Genre in modern culture.
LET'S GET STARTED: Introduce yourselves! Tell us about your favorite types of films (horror or not), talk about one of your favorite films, and get familiar with everyone who's participating.
